Constant changes in equipment, gluing methods, and training
methods have had a large effect on the evolution of styles
within our sport. The decade of the nineties has seen the
decline of two styles, the passive chopper and the passive
half-distance topspin player. In their place, a stronger more
balanced attacking style has emerged, the All-Round Attacker.
This can be seen in both shakehands and penholder versions, with
the penholder version incorporating the new reverse penholder
backhand loop technique. Recently, the switch to the 40mm ball
has changed both stroke techniques and tactics; and even now,
playing styles are evolving quickly to take full advantage of
the new ball’s playing characteristics. Table Tennis is an
ever-evolving sport that requires both coaches and players to
constantly update their knowledge.

The purpose of this article is to examine the eight styles
currently in use at the World Class Level. If you are uncertain
of your style or wish to better identify which style is best for
you, then please read What Style Should
You Play. These styles include:

This series of
articles will provide you with the strengths and weaknesses of
each style, along with some suggested robot drills to help you
develop your game. In reading the descriptions you may find
that your personal style will have attributes from more than
one. However, you should be able to recognize your dominant
style (“A” style) and your secondary style
(“B” style). Each article will also give you some
suggestions on tactics to use against the other styles of
play. Hopefully the style descriptions will serve as a guide
in analyzing your own.

Attacker, All-Round

Description:

This is perhaps
the newest style in the evolution of the modern game. This
athlete typically exhibits great hands, a wide variety of
attacking strokes executed with almost equal strength from
both sides, and the ability to adapt his game to attack the
opponent's weaknesses.

This athlete is
equally comfortable when generating powerful strokes or
simply redirecting the opponent's power against them.
Players of this style can produce a wide variety of topspin
attacking shots from any position or distance from the
table.

Strengths:

Strong opening shots from either backhand or
forehand.

The
ability to produce a great deal of variations in their
attack.

The
ability to control the ball at high rates of
speed.

The
use of sidespin to control the ball and create greater
angles for their opponents to cover.

Great
confidence player and front-runner.

Weaknesses:

Can
become confused as to which of the many techniques to use,
especially when losing.

Can
be lured into playing too soft, and not being aggressive
enough to finish a point.

Often
lacks a single hard finishing shot (flat kill) against balls
at a medium height.

Against the
Attacker — Pips-Out Penholder: Use long chop
serves to the backhand mixed with short serves to the middle
or backhand. Cut the sideline with the long serve so the
opponent cannot run around his/her backhand to attack.
Change constantly between backhand looping and counters to
upset your opponent's rhythm. Elevate your loops to the
penholder's backhand, as the higher loops are more difficult
for them to block. Stay aggressive and constantly mix the
speed, height, and direction of your
topspins.

Against the
Attacker — Pips-Out Shakehands: Serve mostly short
and mid-depth to the middle, then attack the third ball hard
to a corner. Do not get into a backhand to backhand counter
game; but do mix your backhand returns between loops and
counters. Use sidespin on your forehand loops to increase
your playing angles. Stay aggressive and change the speed,
height, and direction of your topspins.

Against the
Attacker — Inverted Looper: Serve short anywhere,
with an occasional long chop serve to the backhand side. The
key to defeating this powerful forehand style is to attack
first. If you can not make a strong first attack, then try
to make a safe topspin low with heavy spin. Stay as close to
the table as possible, pushing your opponent back by
redirecting his own force against him/her.

Against the
Counter Driver: Use all types of serves and placements
of the serves. Heavy backspin serves are particularly
effective against the counter driver. Play safe topspins to
the middle and attack hard down the lines. Do not be tricked
into playing his/her game at the pace they like. Constantly
mix the speed, spin, and height of your
topspins.

Against the
Mid-Distance Aggressive Looper: Use mostly short serves.
Stay close to the table and redirect your opponent's power
against him/her. Do not be tempted into over-hitting. Use
sidespin on your loops to increase the distance your
opponent must cover. Once the mid-distance looper retreats
from the table, attack his middle or wide to the backhand
side.

Against the
Attacking Chopper: Use both short and long serves to the
opponent's backhand, then follow with a series of variable
topspins. Mix the height, spin, and speed of these topspins.
The object here is to frustrate the chopper and force
him/her to try high-risk attacks. Alternate hard shots with
well-placed soft shots to make the chopper move forward and
backward.

Against the
Close to the Table Defender: Use mid-distance and long
backspin serves. The key to overcoming this opponent is not
to over force the attack. Constantly mix the spin, speed,
and height of your topspins. Keeping your softer set-up
shots directed to the middle of the table will reduce the
angles that the defender can use and make your subsequent
attacks easier to execute. When you get a high return,
attack hard wide to the forehand side.